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Conservation Resources 
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'°'" ' SOME LAKES OF 
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK 




DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
1912 



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Tliis publication may be purchased from the Superintendent of 
Documents, Government Printing Office, Wasliington, D. C, for 
10 cents. 
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SOME LAKES OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. 



By Morton J. Elrod, University of Montana, 



INTRODUCTION. 

During the summers of 1009. 1010. and 1011 I spent considerable 
time in the study of the L^kes of the Glacier Park. The object was 
to make observations in regard to their depth, and, in the case of 
those lakes which do not now contain fish, to make a study of the 
microscopic life as a source of fish food, and, in addition, to make 
soundings to determine the depth of the water, so as to arrive at a 
fairly satisfactory conclusion of those lakes as producers of fish. 

Most of the larger lakes are connected with rivers through creeks 
which have no high falls, and which consequently admit fish from 
the rivers to the lakes. Many of the lakes are small. Some, how- 
ever, are of considerable size and appear to be capable of supplying 
food for large numbers of fish. 

The method of taking soundings was as follows: An ordinary 
plumber's bob of lead or iron w^as used, with several hundred feet of 
heavy cord of the kind ordinarily used for trolling. This cord was 
passed through a piece of apparatus such as is used for measuring 
wire in installing telephones and telegraphs. All that was neces- 
sary was to adjust the apparatus on the edge of the boat and let the 
cord run out until the bottom was struck, then read the depth on the 
dial. The method of securing depth by this process is quite accu- 
rate if the water is still, and there is no question whatever about 
determining when the lead strikes the bottom of a lake. 

The life of the lakes was determined by using a surface net made 
of Xo. 20 silk bolting cloth of the finest mesh procurable, such as is 
used in flour mills. Attached to this was a little brass bucket with 
little windows, which were covered with the same kind of silk cloth. 
The water was screened through the net and tiie specimens collected 
in the little bucket at the end, the whole thing being shaped like a 
funnel. The bucket is detachable, by this means making it p)OSsible 
to collect the life from a large quantity of water into a small space 
and preserve it for future study. A wooden plug was inserted in a 
small hole in the bottom of the bucket, and on removal of this the 

3 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 



contents were easily transferred into a small vial or glass bottle. 
This net was dragged behind the boat for an indefinite distance at 
various places in the different lakes, and the contents in each case 
preserved and properly labeled. A second net consisted of a rec- 
tangular iron frame, with a silk cloth of larger mesh, intended to 
collect larger material, both from the surface and from the bottom. 
The mesh is sufficiently large to allow the passage through it of mud 
and the small specimens, and was intended only for the collection 
of the larger forms of life. By means of a rope this w\as allowed to 
drop to the bottom, if the lake was not too deep, or along the surface, 
or at a depth from the surface, as desired. This material also was 
collected and preserved for future study. 




Lake IMcDonald. 
Photograph copyrighted by Kisor Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 

INIost of the field work was done from a canvas boat, carried from 
place to place on a pack horse, as no other form of boat could be so 
transported ; in some places wooded boats were available. 

Owing to the large number of lakes in the park and of the diffi- 
culty of reaching so many in the short space of time that could be 
given, there are still many left to be studied. Some of these are 
easily accessible to the tourist and are doubtless capable of supplying 
food to an abundance of fish life. The park will be much more in- 
teresting if most of these lakes are stocked Avith fish; but to do so 
will require some knowledge of their depth, the quantity of life the 
water contains, and general information as to their surroundings, 
accessibility, insect life, and the like. 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 5 

LAKE McDonald. 

Lake McDonald (altitude 3,1J:J: feet), near Belton, is the lake seen 
by tlie greatest number of tourists at the present time. The lower end 
of this lake is about 2^ miles from Belton. on the Great Northern 
Railroad, from ^Yhich place an excellent road has been constructed. 
Launches make regular trips on this lake and roAvboats can be hired. 

This lake is 0^ miles in length and has a width of about a mile. 
Until recentl}' it has been considered bottomless, but a series of sound- 
ings made across the lake, opposite Glacier Hotel at the upper end, 
gave the following results: 

DcptJis in Laic McDoiiald. 

Pept. 

About 300 yards offshore 271 

About third way across 383 

Halfway across 30S 

Three-fourths distance across 3S7 

300 yards from w^est shore 260 

Deep hole repoi'tecl at upper end midway between the high mountains 359 




AvAi.A.\( in: Lake. 
riiotojiraph copyrif^litod l)y Kisor Photo. Co. for Groat Xortliorn Railway. 

AVALANCHE LAKE. 

This lake (altitude, 3,8G5 feet) lies in xVvalanche Basin, at the foot 
of tremendous cliffs, over Avhich come the waters formed b}^ the melt- 
ing of the snoAV and ice of Sperry Glacier, It is hemmed in on all 
sides, except at the outlet, by high mountains. The forests come 
down to the water's edge. At the upper end of the lake is an oj^en 
space of a mile or so, kept free from timber, apparently, by avalanches 
falling from the heights above. At this end there is an area that is 
comparatively level and open. Stretches of dense brush extend to 
the foot of the cliff and part of the way up the sides, Avherever footing 



6 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 



is afforded. The lake is fed almost entirely from the streams of the 
glacier above. Its outlet is into McDonald Creek. This creek runs 
through a beautiful gorge a greater portion of the way, making one 
of the most beautiful Avalks in the entire park. 

The lake is elliptical, about a mile long and half as wide. It has 
a pebbly shore and is a favorite place for anglers. It is apparently 
full of fish, notwithstanding the fact that it is fished to a greater 
extent, perhaps, than any other lake of its size in the park. It is a 
favorite place for tourists and is about 9 miles by trail from Lake 
McDonald. At the upper end is a beautiful camp site. 

The depth at the lower end, as taken xYugust 4, 1910, was but 4 
feet. About halfway up the lake the depth was 54 feet; at two- 




AvALANCHE Lake. 
Photosrapli copyi-ighted by Riser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 

thirds distance from the loAver end, GS feet ; and at the upper end 
near the shore, 58 feet. The temperature of the water at 3 p. m. on 
this date was 57° F. The temperature of the air was 70° F. 

As will be seen from the.se figures, the lake is deepest at its upper 
end. The outlet has been closed by a log jam for many years, as 
shown by the condition of the logs forming the dam. 

At the present time fish ascend the streams above the lake to the 
foot of the high falls. The microscopic life in the lake is abundant, 
notwithstanding the fact that the lake is apparently well stocked 
with fish. The brush and woods adjacent fiuMiish an abundance of 
insects durino- the summer months. There are large numbers of in- 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAKK, 7 

sects whose larvse are aquatic, furnishing food in this manner, and 
the adult in the deposition of their eggs on the water are captured 
by the fish, or taken as they fall upon the surface. 

Avalanche Lake is typical in size and location of many other 
lakes in the park that are without fish. Since they do so well in this 
lake, there can be no doubt but they w^ould do fully as well in some 
of the other lakes that have never been examined. If plans are made 
for stocking the lakes, it would be well to consider the question of 
planting more fish in this body of water. The young fish would 
have plenty of opportunity to hide, have an abundance of micro- 
scopic food, and have an outlet to the larger streams in the park when 

they reach adult size. 

BOWMAN LAKE. 

Bowman Lake receives the waters from the high mountains on 
either side of Brown Pass on the Pacific slope. From the Continental 
Divide to the upper end of the lake the distance by trail is about 8 
miles, through scenery that is wonderfully captivating. The trail 
follows the lake for its entire length of about r4 miles. Its width is 
a half mile or less, narrower next the mountains, wnder at the lower 
end. The elevation of the lake above the sea is 4.020 feet. It is a 
famous fishing resort, easily accessible, with a fairly good shore line, 
and open at the lower end. It drains into the Flathead River through 
Bowman Creek. There is a wagon road leading from the lower end of 
the lake to Flathead Piver, along which there is a wagon road ex- 
tending from Belton to the Kintla Lake region. At the lower end 
of the lake are big meadows, supplying abundance of food for horses 
and affording a well-known camping site. 

The one sounding made in this lake, at a point about half a mile 
above the lower end, gave a depth of 90 feet. The temperature of 
the water at 5 p. m. on August 19, 1910, was 59.5° F. Collections 
made with net and dredge showed that the lake is well supplied with 
fish food. 

WATERTON LAKE. 

AVaterton Lake is at the northern end of the park, half in the 
Ignited States and half in Canada. This lake has been given differ- 
ent names. On the first maps of the district it is called Chief Moun- 
tain Lake; on some of the later maps it is called Kootenai Lake, 
which is also the name given by some of the residents. 

This lake is easily approachable by road from the Canadian end. 
From Lake McDonald it is reached by trail, the distance being about 
r>3 miles. It is 10 or 12 miles long and has an average width of per- 
haps half a mile. Its altitude is 4,10G feet. Soundings were made 
on this lake on August 17, 1910. The temperature of the water at 
1.30 p. m. was found to be 50° F., while the temperature of the air 
at the same time was 02.5° F. Sounding was made 200 feet east of 
llie rockv ledge on the west shore, about 2 miles from the upper end. 




General view of the lakes and mountains, Waterton Lake. Northern end 
OF upper lake, which is crossed by the boundary. 




Lake on Olson Creek, from the mountain side, looking toward Mount 
Cleveland, which is on the right in the distance. 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 9 

The depth was 210 feet. Another sounding, made approximately 
the same distance from the upper end and about halfway across, 
gave a depth of 317 feet. These were the only two soundings made 
on this lake. The temperature of the water at 8.30 p. m. of August 
9, 1911, was 52° F., the air temperature being then 47° F. 

LAKE ON OLSON CREEK. 

Most of the water from Waterton Lalce is received from Little 
Kootenai Creek. Just before this creek enters the lake it receives 
the waters of Olson Creek, which comes in from the west. The trail 
leads up this creek and over Brown Pass to the lakes and streams of 
the western slope, which drain into the Flathead Kiver. The trail 
by Olson Creek and over Brown Pass traverses one of the pictur- 
esque portions of the park, and will doubtless be visited by many 
tourists. This will be especially true of those coming in from the 
Canadian side. On Olson Creek, 3| miles above Waterton Lake, is 
a small lake that is unnamed. It is in a beautiful location, in the 
very heart of magnificent mountains. The altitude is about 5,000 
feet. The shore is open and easily accessible. 

This lake is fed by streams, heading in the snowbanks of near-by 
mountains. It is without fish. On Olson Creek, between this lake 
and Waterton Lake, are numerous falls, up which fish are not able 
to ascend. The lake is not deep, being only 5 feet at the upper end 
and 10 feet at the lower. It is situated in a mountain pocket, and 
has been made by a mass of glacier bowlders. This mass extends for 
a mile or more down the creek, forming a series of falls and cas- 
cades, over which the water dashes witli great noise. 

The temperature of this lake at 5 p. m. on August 11, 1911, was 
52° F. in the center and 54° F. near the shore. The air temperature 
at the same time was 59° F. This and other temperatures here given 
were taken about 6 inches beloAv the surface. 

From observations made by the use of the surface net and the 
dredge and from the character of the shore line it would seem ap- 
parent that fish could do well in this lake. "While it may freeze over, 
and doubtless does freeze over in winter, it would surely not freeze 
to the bottom, and fish should live during the winter as in any other 
lake. 

There is in it a considerable abundance and variety of microsco]:)ic 
life. One species of Avater snail is found in considerable abundance. 
The larvae of numbers of insects were abundant. The streams which 
supply the water doubtless carry into it considerable quantities of 
insect life. 

As the northern shore of the lake is open, it is a favorite camping 
site. Should the lake be stocked with fish it would make tlie region 
doubly interesting to tourists. Furthermore, the fish couhl easily 
ascend the streams to a distance of several mih\s. 
36709°— 12 2 




Lake southeast of Brown Pass. 




McDermott Lake, Mount Gould, Mount Pollock, and Allen Mountain. 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 11 

LAKE SOUTHEAST OF BROWN PASS. 

On Olson Creek, about 2 miles above the lake last described, is 
another unnamed lake. 

This lake is some 5 or G miles from Waterton Lake, and lies at the 
foot of tremendous cliffs, in a charming spot, close to the trail. Its 
altitude is about 5,250 feet. It is fed by two streams. One comes 
from the glacier above, falls over the cliffs, 1,100 feet high, by seven 
streams, and presents a most charming picture. The other brings 
the water from the eastern slope of the Continental Divide at Brown 
Pass, several miles farther up the trail. This lake is connected with 
the lake last described by Olson Creek. Fish placed in either lake 
could easily pass, in a short time, to the other. 

Soundings show the lake to be 75 feet deep in the middle, with a 
depth of 30 feet at the upper end. Apparently it is shaped like a big 
bowl. It is oval, perhaps a mile in length and not quite as wide. Its 
surface area is probably a little more than that of lake last described. 
Its temperature at 2 p. m. on August 12, 1911, was 53° F., the air tem- 
perature at the same time being 67° F. The lake contains consid- 
erable quantities of microscopic life, and is a fine haven for fish in 
winter. Without doubt they would do well if the lake were stocked. 
Moreover, they could ascend the inlet of the lake that brings the water 
from Brown Pass. i 

The same remarks that were made concerning insect life for the 
lake last described will apply for this lake. It would seem to me to 
be highly desirable to have fish placed in either or both of these 
beautiful bodies of water. If placed in one they would soon be in 
the other. 

McDERMOTT AND ALTYN LAKES. 

These lakes lie between Grinnell Mountain on the west and Allen 
Mountain on the east. They extend northeast and southwest for 
a distance of 3 or 4 miles, and are connected by a creek less than a 
quarter mile in length. The elevation of McDermott Lake is 4,861 
feet; Altyn Lake is slightly higher. Whatever deductions or con- 
clusions are made for one lake will apply to the other. 

Observations were made on McDermott Lake only. The shore of 
the lake is open, free, and easily accessible. The trail passes close 
to the lake at the lower end. A logging camp and sawmill was 
formerly located here, but are now abandoned. Fire has destroyed 
the timber so that there is a good, ojien site for camping, 
with splendid views of the lake and mountains. The outlet of this 
lake is a series of cascades, with a total fall of about 90 feet in a. 
quarter of a mile. To the foot of this cascade fish from the i^treams; 
below make their way. but none have ascended to the waters of the 
lake above. This cascade, with the mountains behind for a back- 



12 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAEK. 



ground, is one of the beauty spots of the park, and the portion of 
the hike here described is one where tourists will delight to linger. 
At the upper portion of the lake the slopes are partl}^ wooded and 
partly open. The outline is quite irregular, and there are many 
little sheltered coves, where game birds may hide, and where young 
fish may escajDe the larger ones. 

A sounding, 330 feet from the shore opposite the cabins, showed 
a depth of 16 feet. A second sounding, half way between the cabins 
and the bare rock at the foot of the lake, showed 3G feet. One-third 
of the way up the lake the depth was 32 feet. In the narrow and 




Gkinnell Lake, Grinnell Glaciek and Ampiiitiieateu. 



shallow places the depth was only 1 feet ; at the upper end it was 
7 feet. No soundings were taken in Altyn Lake 

The temperature of the water was 68° F., and the temperature 
of the air G3° F. Collections with net and dredge produced a 
greater quantity of fish food than has been found in any of the 
lakes that have been studied in the park. Microscopic life upon 
which the small fish must feed was in great abundance. Every- 
where on the bottom, among the weeds, and close to the mud were 
great numbers of fresh water shrimp, the adults being about 1 inch 
in length. With such an abundance of fish food, there is every 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 13 

reason -\vliv this lake should be stocked at an early date with a good 
supply of 3^oung fish. 

The lake lies in a depression at the edge of the mountains. Its 
outlet is blocked by a layer of bedrock, which the waters of the lake 
are slowly Avearing away from year to year. Immediately below 
the lake the plains country begins. Transportation of fish to the 
lake would be quite easy, as a good wagon road extends from Babb, 
at the mouth of Swiftcurrent Creek, to the lake. 

McDermott Lake receives its waters from the Grinnell Glacier 
country, from Swiftcurrent Pass, including a glacier on either side 
of the pass, and from Iceberg Lake. If fish were introduced into 
McDermott Lake, they would be given access to the streams leading 
up to the mountains in these three directions. Between McDermott 
Lake and Swiftcurrent Pass is a series of smaller and shallow lakes, 
which were not studied but which have a slightly greater elevation 
than McDermott Lake. Whether there are falls between McDer- 
mott Lake and these smaller lakes in the direction of Swiftcurrent 
Pass the writer does not know. If there are none fish will, of course, 
have several miles of creek and lakes where the_v could secure food. 
It would be only a short distance to transport fish to the upper 
lakes and stock them also. As they, too, are by the side of the trail, 
and as large numbers of people will doubtles wish to go over Swift- 
current Pass and see the beautiful country adjacent thereto, it is 
highly desirable that fish be planted in these waters wherever they 
may be able to live. 

.GRINNELL LAKE. 

Grinnell Lake lies about a mile above Altj-n Lake and has the same 
general outline, location, and aj^pearance wuth respect to mountains 
as Avalanche and Gunsiglit Lakes. It lies at the foot of the tre- 
mendous cliffs of Gould Mountain, and receives the waters that come 
from the melting ice from Grinnell Glacier and from a portion of the 
slopes of Grinnell Mountain. Its elevation is about 5.050 feet. As 
the trail to Grinnell Lake was not good and was difficult for pack 
horses the canvas boat, by means of which the soundings were made, 
was not taken to the lake. The surface net was thrown into the 
water, and some observations of the life in the lake were made by 
dragging the net around through the water from horseback, near the 
lower end. Such observations are not conclusive, of course, and 
are given merely for Avhat they are worth. They serve to show, 
however, that the lake is well supplied with microscopic life, and 
further observations, when the boat can be transported to the waters. 
Avill doubtless show as much living material as in Gunsight and 
Avalanche Lakes. ]Moreover, fish planted in McDermott or Altvn 




Grinnell Lake and Govld Mountain from Grinnell Mountain. 
Photograph copyrighted by Kiser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 15 

Lakes would doubtless have no difficulty whatever in reaching Grin- 
nell Lake, as the distance is short. 

The lower end of the lake is open and parklike, but marsh}", and 
the lake at this portion appears to be quite shallow. It was possible 
to ride out into the water a distance of a hundred feet or more before 
the water reached the horse's belly. 

From the contour of the country it would seem that this lake is 
perhaps like some of the others mentioned in this report — deepest 
at its upper end. The shore next to Gould INIountain is very pre- 
cipitous and is nothing- but a mass of broken rock or talus slope that 
has fallen from the mountain and is almost devoid of vegetation. 
The opposite shore, on the Grinnell Mountain side, is a dense mass of 
brush. 

At the upper end the waters from Grinnell Glacier fall over the 
high cliffs with a deafening noise, presenting a beautiful sight. The 
vicAvs from the lower end of the lake are as beautiful and imposing 
as any to be found in the park. With a good trail to the upper end 
of the lake this would be a favorite place for tourists, perhaps as 
attractive as Avalanche Lake, although more remote from the points 
of entrance. Such a trail will doubtless be made in the near future, 
and when the lake is opened up to the public it will be doubly attract- 
ive if stocked with fish. 

ICEBERG LAKE. 

Iceberg Lake lies at the foot of the towering cliffs of AYilbur 
Mountain, the Continental Divide, and the high cliffs at Ahern Pass. 
The precipices above this lake are more tremendous and imposing 
than any the writer has seen in the park. It lies on the north side of 
"Wilbur, on the east side of the Continental Divide, and on the south 
of the unnamed mountains of Ahern Pass. As a consequence the 
sun shines in this pocket for only a short portion of the year, and the 
accumulated snow has little chance to melt. The distance from the 
lake surface to the top of the cliffs above is over 3.000 feet. The lake 
is not large, covering, jierhaps, less than a square mile of surface. 
Its elevation is 0,100 feet. At the outlet is a series of falls, wdiich 
make it impossible for fish from below to ascend to the lake, and 
which would lock in the lake any fish that might be planted therein. 

"\Miile this lake has a location which given it great interest, and the 
surroundings are considered by many to be the most impressive in the 
park, it does not seem advisable to go to the trouble of planting it with 
fish, since its surface is free from ice for only a short time in the 
year, and fish planted there would be completely landlocked, and 
could not travel from the lake proper a distance of more than a 
quarter of a mile. If fish are jilanted in ISIcDermott Lake, as has 
been suggested, they could migrate up the stream to within a com- 
l^aratively short distance of Iceberg Lake. 




TRAVEL-GUIDE MAP 

OF THE 

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK 
MONTANA 



After Topographic Map of Glacier National 
Park by the U. S. Geological Survey. 



L.L.POATES ENG.CO.,N. 



1U°20' 



16 




Iceberg Lake. 
Photoiiraph copyrighted by Kiser Photo. Co. for Groat Northern Railway. 




Iceberg Lake (in August), looking toward the cliffs of Wilbur Mountain. 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 



19 



ST. MARY LAKES. 

LoAver St. Mary Lake lies outside Glacier Park, in the Blackfeet 
Indian Reservation. Xo soundings were made in this hike, nor was 
work of any kind done on it. Upper St. Mary lies Avholly within 
the park. The elevation of the lower lake is 4,400 feet; that of 
the upper lake is 4,472 feet. Upper St. Mary Lake has a general 
direction of northeast and southwest, separated from the lower lake 
by a mile or more of river. This river is shallow and easily forded, 
either with horses or vehicles. The old trail, now made into a wagon 
road, crosses the stream at about the boundary line of the park, and 




Upper Lake St. Mary from upi'er end; Keu Eagle Mountain on RKiHT; 
Divide Mountain in distance. 

Photograph copyrighted by Riser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 



follows the northern shore of the lake from the lower end to the 
upper, a distance of 12 miles by water and considerably more by 
trail. The wagon road extends only to the narrows, which is about 
half way up the lake. Above the narrows the trail climbs almost 
to the foot of the rocks of Goat Mountain and later descends nearly 
to the lake level. 

The only work done on Upper St. Mary Lake was the taking of a 
series of soundings, extending from the narrows to the upj)er end. 
Through the courtesv of Mr. W. J. Hillegoss, of the Great Northern 



20 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAEK. 



Railwa\^, I was enabled to make use of the boat, which had been 
phiced upon the lake the day before. The record of the soundings 
taken is as follows : A short distince below the narrows, in the middle 
of the lake, 150 feet; in the narrows, opposite the rocks, which are 
situated on the north side, 200 feet ; out from the rocks 80 feet ; 
half way from the upper end to the upper narrows, 166 feet ; 100 
yards off the rocks which are on the south side of the upper nar- 
rows, 137 feet ; opj^osite the little creek on the south side of the lake, 
just west of Red Eagle, 123 feet; about the middle of the lake, half 




lli:.\i) OF L I'l'Ki; Lake St. Mary fkom the Upper Narrows. 
Photograph copyrighted by Kiser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 

way between the upper and middle narrows, 292 feet. The tempera- 
ture of the water was 56° F. These soundings were taken August 
22, 1911. 

One of the gentlemen at the camp stated that a few days before 
my arrival a Mackinaw Lake trout had been taken by a trolling line. 
The weight of this fish was 18 pounds. He also stated that some time 
prior one had been taken which weighed 30 pounds. Undoubtedly 
the lake is full of fish, many of them of good size. These can migrate 
only a short distance up the creek from the lake, as they are stopped 
by the falls. The introduction of fish into Gunsight Lake above 
would give the fish access to the streams at the foot of the Continental 
Divide. 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 



2.1 



GUNSIGHT LAKE. 

This lake lies on the northern side of Giinsight Pass, its upper end 
reaching- almost to the foot of the cliffs of the pass. It trends north- 
east and soiitlnvest. is about a mile in lengih and perhaps half as 
Avide, and is oval or elliptical, as are most of the smaller lakes in the 
park. Its elevation is 5.270 feet. Gunsight INIountain is on the west, 
Jackson Mountain on the south. At the upper end of the lake is a 
small, open stretch less than half a mile long between the lake and 
the cliifs. On the Gunsight side of the lake the timber and brush 
come down to the water's edge. On the Jackson Mountain side the 




Gunsight Lake and pack train on east side of Gunsight Pass, Piegan 
Mountain, and Going-to-Sun Mountain in distance. 

rhotosrapli coiiyriirhtcd by Kisor riioto. Co. for Groat Xortliprn Railway. 

shores along the lower half are quite dense with brush ; along the 
upper half they are free. The remainder of the lake is open and 
has a good, pebbh^ shore, making the waters easy of access. The out- 
let is to the St. Mary River, by which the waters reach the Upper 
St. Mary Lake, 8 or 9 miles by trail. In this distance there are 
numerous waterfalls; how many has not been determined. There 
are enough, however, to prevent the ascent of fish from Upper St, 
Mary Lake to Gunsight Lake. 

This lake is familiar to all those who have traveled over Gunsight 
Pass, as the trail climbs the steep slope above the lake, and the lake 
is constantly in view during the ascent of the traveler over the pass 



22 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 

or during the descent from the pass to the beautiful camp site at the 
foot of the lake. 

At the lower end of the lake the country opens out into a wide 
park, thinly timbered with beautiful open stretches here and there 
and with many dense masses of brush. 

The lake is fed by numerous streams, probably 15 or 20 at different 
times, which come from the snow banks and glaciers lying on the 
slopes of the mountains far above. As a result they come abruptly 
into the lake and afford no opportunity for the ascent of fish to any 
distance. 

St. Mary River, w^hich is the outlet of the lake, receives the streams 
which come from the Blackfeet Glacier, making a network of small 
streams through the large and open park country, which extends for 
miles. 

The water is usually turbid, due to the sediment brought down 
from the glaciers. Sometimes it is of a deep pea-green color; at 
other times the green color is much lighter. Sometimes streams of 
milky-looking water may be seen extending out into the green, show- 
ing where the glacier stream is floAving out into the lake and mixing 
with the lake water. 

Soundings of this lake and collections were made on August 23, 
1911. One hundred yards from the shore at the upper end the 
depth was 63 feet; one-third of the way down it was 42 feet ; halfway 
down, 32 feet ; three-quarters of the way down, 16 feet. 

The temperature of the water at 11.30 a. m, was 53° F. and the 
temperature of the air at the same hour was 68° F. 

From these figures it will be seen that Gunsight Lake, like Ava- 
lanche, is deepest at its upper end. It has about the same location 
with respect to mountains that Avalanche has, and apparently would 
make as good a home for fish, although they would be prohibited by 
the falls from migrating to the streams below and would be some- 
Avhat landlocked. Still, they would have an abundance of room for 
movement and would have miles and miles of streams which would 
give a big supj)ly of insect food. 

It would seem that this lake should, by all means, be stocked with 
fish. Tourists will camp on its shore in great numbers. The mag- 
nificent mountains, the glaciers, and fish in the stream and lake near 
camp would make a fairyland for those who will \asit this region. 

The net and dredge show that the lake is well supplied Avith the 
microscopic life which is necessary for the growth of small fish, and 
the streams coming into the lake will doubtless carry considerable 
quantities of fish food. The wooded and brushy shores will give a 
good supply of insect food, and this will be greatly increased by the 
insects that will fall into the streams from the brushy sides of the 
many creeks. 




GiJNSiGHT Lake northeast from Gunsigiit Pass. 
rhotograph copyrighted by Kiser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 



24 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAEK. 

LAKE SOUTHWEST OF GUNSIGHT PASS. 

This lake lies at the foot of Gunsight Pass, on the Pacific side of 
the mountains. It has an elevation of 5,914 feet, and is therefore 
638 feet higher than Gunsight. 

The traveler standing at the summit of Gunsight Pass can see 
Ounsight Lake and this lake without changing his position, except 
to face about from the northeast to the southwest. Gunsight 
Lake has been described previously. The upper end of this lake 
touches the precipitous sides of Gunsight Pass. The lake is fed 
mainly by a stream of water coming down from the region of the 
pass. The stream comes from melting glaciers on either side. The 
stream makes a beautiful waterfall, unnamed. The trail passes the 
foot of this waterfall, giving the traveler a commanding view. Tlie 
view of the lake from the pass and from any portion of the trail 
between the pass and the lake is exceptionally fine. The trail leads 
down to the edge of the lake. There is an excellent camping place, 
with plenty of wood and water and an abundance of feed for a 
goodly number of horses. 

On the eastern side or shore of the lake the cliffs of Jackson 
Mountain come abruptly to the water, and on that side the water is 
doubtless very deep. On the opposite shore is a level stretch which 
has been mentioned as a camping place. Back of this rise the abrupt 
red cliffs of Gunsight Mountain. Over these a small stream of 
water, coming from a hidden glacier, falls over the precipitous rocks 
and disappears in spray before reaching the bottom. At the lower 
end there is a stream perhaps a quarter of a mile in length, winding 
back and forth over the ledges of rock, and finally falling over the 
cliffs 1,700 feet into a second lake below. This lake is therefore 
without streams of any consequence, either as outlet or inlet. 

Collections were made here on September 5, 1909, and on August 
23, 1911. The results show that the lake is not only deep, but full 
of microscopic life. The soundings were as follows : 200 yards from 
shore, at the upper end, 88 feet ; halfway down in the middle of the 
lake, 118 feet; a little less than two-thirds of the way down, 214 feet. 
The temperature of the water was 49° F., temperature of the air 52° 
F., at 7.30 p. m. 

It thus appears that this lake is like an immense bowl, without 
streams of any consequence as inlet or outlet, as before mentioned. 
A single haul of the surface net in the middle of the lake, where the 
water is deepest, produced an immense quantity of microscopic life. 
The mass of material was colored blood red, owing to the great 
quantities of red entomostraca. When we consider that the lake is 
oval, a mile long and about half a mile wide, with a depth of 244 
feet, possibly still deeper at the lower end, we may conclude that 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 



25 



the great amount of fish food in such a hirge body of water would 
supply large numbers of fish with planty to eat. It is true that 
fish would be landlocked, and would be confined to the waters of the 
lake. It is also true that not so many insects would be supplied as 
is the case with the other lakes mentioned, because of the absence of 
streams at the inlet and outlet. As the prevailing direction of the 
wind is from the south and southwest, considerable quantities of 
insect food from the regions below and near by, would fall into the 
water. Also considerable quantities of food would be carried down 
from the heio-hts alcove bv the streams mentioned. 




Lake southwest of GuNSiciiiT 1'ass. 

It might be urged that the elevation of the lake would be too high 
to support fish life, or that the lake might freeze early in the fall 
and thaw out late in the spring, but the location of this body of 
water is such that the reverse is the case. It lies on the southern 
face of the Continental Divide, and receives the warm rays of the 
sun every day in the year when the sun shines, which is not true of 
most of the other lakes mentioned. With the high cliffs of Jackson 
on the east and those of Gunsight on the west, the sun will not strike 
the waters of the lake early in the morning and will cease to touch 
it early in the afternoon; but, during the middle and warmer por- 
tion of the day the surface of the lake will receive the full rays of 
the sun, with no obstruction whatever. Moreover, owing to this 



26 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAEK. 

location the snow which will accumulate on the cliffs on either side 
of the lake will be melted early in the spring by the warm rays, very 
much earlier than would be the case on the opposite side of the 
divide, above Gunsight Lake. And again, as stated, the prevailing 
winds are from the south or southwest. Consequently the warm 
air from the lower regions will be carried upwards and assist in 
melting the snow and in warming the waters. We know that this 
is true in other places in the mountains that have a similar location, 
and consequently it must be true for this lake. Therefore, although 
this lake has an elevation of 638 feet above Gunsight Lake, it seems 
quite certain that it will have as much open season as will the lake 
at the opposite side of the range. IVIoreover, it has much greater 
depth, and this gi'eater depth will give the fish gi'eater room for 
activity, and will make possible the growth of much larger amount 
of life for food. 

The shore of this lake is certain to be an attractive place for tour- 
ists. The scenery in every direction is very impressive, and if the 
lake is supplied with fish, it will have an additional charm. When 
the travel in the park becomes reasonably heavy, the number of fish 
that will be taken from its waters, should it be stocked, will, no 
doubt, be sufficient to keep down any excess of fish for the amount 
of food necessary to maintain their existence. 

Everything considered, it would appear that this lake should, 
without question, be stocked with fish, and it is certain that they 
would do well until they reach such numbers that the food supph^ of 
the lake will be exhausted. It is hardly likely that this will be the 
case for a long time, and before that time comes the number taken 
from its waters by campers will be large. 

The transportation of fish fry could be made from the St. Mary 
Lake side or from the Lake McDonald direction. If the fish are 
brought in from the eastern side of the mountains they could be 
transported from the Great Northern Eailvray to Upper St. Mary 
Lake by wagon or automobile, and up Upper St. Mary Lake by boat. 
From the upper end of Upper St. IVIary Lake to Gunsight Lake is 
three or four hours' travel by pack horse. At Gunsight Lake they 
could be cared for and the water changed, ready for transportation 
over the pass. A pack horse could be taken from Gunsight Lake 
over the pass and down to the waters of this lake in four hours 
or less. By this route the fish would be carried by pack horses for 
not to exceed eight hours, with opportunity to change the water and 
care for them at the end of four hours. 

If fish are brought from Lake McDonald, they could be taken from 
the Great Northern Railway at Belton, transported over the excellent 
road from Belton to Lake McDonald, a distance of onlv a few miles, 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 27 

then by boat to the upper end of the hike. From Glacier Hotel at 
the upper end of the lake to Glacier Basin on the trail to Sperry 
Glacier, the distance is about four hours or less. Here the fish may 
be cared for and, if desired, a portion could be taken up the trail, 
about an hour and a half farther, to the small lakes, which lie high 
up along the trail most traveled at the present time by tourists. From 
Glacier Basin to this lake is between three and four hours' travel. 
So that whichever way the fish ma}' be brought in the difficulty of 
transporting them is not great, and the chances of getting them into 
the water safely are very good. A^Hien once placed in the water they 
will have no enemies until they reach sufficient size to become enemies 
to each other. 

LAKES SOUTH OF SPERRY GLACIER. 

Two beautiful little lakes lie high up on the mountain side at the 
end of the Sperry Glacier trail. Thev are 8 or 9 miles distant by 
trail from the Glacier Hotel at Lake McDonald. The elevation of 
the one highest is about 7,800 feet; the other lake is about 75 feet 
lower. Each lake has an area of from 10 to 20 acres. They are fed 
by little streamlets coming from springs among the rocks on either 
side or from snowbanks. A small stream pours over the rocks at 
the edge of Sperry Glacier, the water from the stream really coming 
from the snow and ice of Sperry, although the movement of the ice 
and the general flow of the water is in the opposite direction. 

The scenery at these lakes is very rugged and picturesque. On the 
west lies the bare and rocky summit of Edwards Mountain. At the 
foot of the cliffs of Edwards and close to both the lakes is the trail 
leading to Sperry Glacier, The color of these two lakes mentioned 
is generally a very deep blue. This changes as the light of the sun 
becomes stronger or weaker or is obstructed by intervening clouds. 

These two little lakes are very attractive to tourists, and the trail 
past them is at present traveled more than any other one in the park. 
It doubtless will always be the most public trail, especially for those 
wdio come into the park by way of Belton. This is because the trail 
opens up, with a minimum of time and travel, one of the glaciers of 
the park and one of sufficient size to be of more than passing im- 
portance. The magnificent scenery is very attractive and can be 
reached in a few hours' walk from the hotel. On several occasions I 
have visited these two little lakes. In the summer of 1911 it was 
found possible to transport the canvas boat to their waters for the 
purpose of determining more exactly the depth of the water and the 
life it contains. The depth of the higher lake only was taken owing 
to lack of time. It was found that its greatest depth was 32 feet. 
Bv the use of the net and dredge the life of the lake was examined. 



28 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 



There are considerable quantities of fish food, and it is believed that 
quite a number of fish could maintain existence here. Owing to the 
high elevation of the lake and the lack of streams, either as inlets 
or as outlets, which would give opportunity for the fish to travel, 
the}" would be locked in the small lake itself. However, it would 
seem to be an experiment worth trying to introduce a few fish into 
each of these little lakes, as they undoubtedl}' could live, and as the 
lakes undoubtedly would not freeze to the bottom in winter. It 
would certainly add greatly to the interest and attractiveness of the 
trail to tourists if they could climb to this place, which appears to 
be impossible of ascent when viewed from below, and find at the 




Lakes south of Sperry Glacier. A portion of each lake is hidden dy the 

CLIFFS PETWEEN THE CAMERA AND LAKE. 

very end of the trail and high up among the frightful rocks a body of 
water from which they could clraAv fish with a hook and line for the 
noonday meal. It is for this reason only that it is suggested as 
worthy of a trial, because the lakes are certainly not of sufficient 
size to maintain any great quantity of fish, and they never could 
get out. 

Owing to lack of time soundings of the lower lake were not taken, 
but from its general appearance and the character of the rock it is 
probably not very much unlike the upper one. Previous observa- 
tions tended to show that it contained about as much food or life as 
did the hioher lake. 



SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 29 

SUMMARY. 

There are many other lakes in the park, some of them Uirge, some 
of them small, Avhich have not been studied. Many of these are 
removed from the trails, while some of them are close to present 
trails. Many of these lakes are already supplied with an abundance 
of fish. Still others are, by their location, and by the presence of 
falls between them and the lower waters, devoid of fish life. It is 
highly desirable that further study of these lakes should be made. 
Such study, doubtless, will be carried on in the near future. 

With a pleasure ground of the area of this park, approximating, 
as it does, 1,500 square miles, with so many streams of water leading 
into the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Pacific, and the wealth of 
magnificent scenerj^ that the country affords, there will, doubtless, be 
many more trails made in the years to come than there are at present. 
Where hundreds of people now visit the park, thousands — perhaps 
tens of thousands — will visit it in the years to come. The introduc- 
tion of fish into the various streams and lakes that will support fish 
life will make the park more attractive to tourists and render their 
stay more pleasant. The introductory work of placing fish in the 
streams and lakes is not ver}^ arduous and should be carried on now, 
so as to give time for the fish to grow and reach maturity before the 
heavy park traffic shall begin. 

o 



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